1. Preparing for Short-term Campus Closures
Student Services Briefing 01.1
Preparing for Short-term Campus Closures
A UT-TED Fall 2018 Presentation
Joy E. Harris, PhD
Susan Lambert, MFA

2. Emergency Campus Closures
Student Services Briefing 01.1
Emergency Campus Closures
Emergency campus closures occur rarely.
Typically they are due to hurricane threats but could happen for other reasons.
UT needs a procedure to ensure continued instructional delivery for course goals and objectives.

3. Have a Contingency Plan
Student Services Briefing 01.1
Have a Contingency Plan
This presentation describes a protocol for closures of three days or more.
All faculty should have a contingency plan ready to implement when needed.

4. Typical Process
The UT Emergency Operations Team will meet to determine whether a campus closure is needed for safety and welfare reasons. This information is disclosed immediately through ut.edu and the SMART text message system
Various campus units (e.g., ResLife, Campus Security) have protocols in place to evacuate students if necessary and to secure the campus facilities

5. Why Follow the Process?
Academic course continuity is required by SACS-COC or we would need to add course days to the calendar so that minimal meeting time standards are met
Several Florida schools did need to extend classes or add weekend class time from Irma closures

6. Before an Emergency Have syllabus language for student use.
Explain in the first class what could happen and the need to keep working on academic goals.
Prepare several days worth of contingency work that can be completed in a distance fashion.

7. Advanced Preparation Continued
Have students submit practice assignments in advance so they understand how this will work if needed.
Assign publisher-based activities if you can.
Use a version of this work if you have to miss class for travel/ illness.

8. Electronic Resources
Please visit ut.edu/ctl for resource help as needed and attend UT-TED talks for instructional programs and trainings using technology
Online tools to continue instruction include the following:
Blackboard
For content delivery, assignments and quizzes
VidGrid (FKA Ilos) for inclusion of instructional videos
Other online tools such as YouTube videos, and course aids/videos from publishers (and other materials)

9. During an Emergency
Communicate/ interact with students via or texting.
Be encouraging and positive.
Remember, this may be old hat to you but brand new to students.

10. Syllabus Language “COURSE INTERRUPTION DUE TO ADVERSE CONDITIONS:
In case of any adverse condition or situation which could interrupt the schedule of classes, each student is asked to access the UT web site for information about the status of the campus and class meetings. In addition, please refer to ut.blackboard.edu for announcements and other important information. You are responsible for accessing this information.”
Add information specific to your class section

11. Set Clear Expectations
What specific work is to be done?
How you can be contacted if help is needed?
Where the work is located online (or elsewhere)?
What work submission format is preferred?
What are the deadlines?

12. What Else Should You Consider?
What contingencies there are for delays in returning to campus or for leaving before the class closures are official?
Be aware that parents may have students leave or return off schedule.
Airports/ roads may be damaged/ closed.

13. Any Questions?
Feel free to visit or call the CTL staff for further assistance.
PH 303 suites (Baccalaureate)
PH suite (EdTech)
UT-TED

14. Key Personnel for Help CTL – Cheri Etling-Paulsen
UT-TED – Mary Martinasek
EdTech – Joy Harris, Karen Garcia, Ray Cepko, Susan Lambert
Baccalaureate – Edesa Scarborough, Jeremy Cooper

15. Blackboard Tools The following are well-suited for distance delivery:
Discussion boards – make them interactive.
Wikis – have students take ownership of content.
Utilize partner content where available.
Assessments – Completely or partially self-graded.
Mashup tools – Hoonuit and YouTube
Tip: Have students watch a video and complete an assessment on what was covered.

16. Lecture Capture & Guest Recording
Utilize VidGrid
Quickly record and post lecture videos
Embed videos wherever you find text editing
Create a video-prompt discussion board
Utilize guest recorder for student submissions 